Exhibit 2.1
MEMBERSHIP INTERESTS
PURCHASE AGREEMENT
This Membership Interests Purchase Agreement
(“ Agreement ”) is made as of November
28, 2008, by Tampa Farm Service, Inc., a Florida corporation
(“ Seller ”), TFS Holdings, Inc., a
Florida corporation (“ TFS Holdings
”), and Michael H. Bynum, Blair M. Bynum and Samuel G.
Bynum (each, a “ Shareholder ,” and
collectively, the “ Shareholders ”),
and Cal-Maine Foods, Inc., a Delaware corporation (“
Buyer ”).
Background
Information
For many years, Seller has engaged, directly and
through Okeechobee Egg Company, Inc. (“ Okeechobee
Egg ”) and other Affiliates, in the production,
grading, packaging and distribution of shell eggs and related
activities, including the production and milling of feed for laying
hens and pullets, the distribution of third-party non-egg products
(including meat, dairy and juice) along with its own eggs (“
Business ”). In order to facilitate the sale
of the Business, Seller desires to convey all of the assets but
none of the liabilities of the Business to Tampa Farms, LLC, a
Florida limited liability company (the “
Company ”). Accordingly, Seller desires to
sell, and Buyer desires to purchase, all of the issued and
outstanding membership interests (the “ Membership
Interests ”) of the Company for the consideration
and on the terms set forth in this Agreement. Capitalized terms
which are used in this Agreement and not defined shall have the
meaning ascribed to them in Section 11 of this Agreement.
The parties agree as follows:
Operative
Provisions
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Section 1.
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SALE AND
TRANSFER OF MEMBERSHIP INTERESTS; CLOSING
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The background
information set forth above is hereby incorporated into the body of
this Agreement. Subject to the terms and conditions of this
Agreement, at the Closing, Seller will sell and transfer the
Membership Interests to Buyer free and clear of all Encumbrances,
and Buyer will purchase the Membership Interests from
Seller.
The purchase
price (the “ Purchase Price ”) for the
Membership Interests will be $60,672,000, reduced or increased by
the Adjustment Amount, and the parties’ pro rata share of
taxes, rent, utilities, and other expenses associated with the
Company which shall be prorated between Buyer and Seller as of the
Inventory Date as described in Section 1.9 below
The purchase
and sale (the “ Closing ”) provided
for in this Agreement will take place at the offices of
Seller’s counsel at 1801 North Highland Ave., Tampa, FL
33602, at 10:00 a.m. EST on December 5, 2008 (the “
Closing Date” ), or at such other time and
place as the parties may agree in writing. Subject to the
provisions of Section 9 , failure to consummate the purchase
and sale provided for in this Agreement on the date and time and at
the place determined pursuant to this Section 1.3 will not
result in the termination of this Agreement and will not relieve
any party of any obligation under this Agreement.
Notwithstanding
the foregoing or anything to the contrary herein, if the Adjustment
Amount causes the Purchase Price, in Buyer’s or
Seller’s reasonable opinion, to meet the Hart-Scott-Rodino
Antitrust Improvements Act (“ HSR Act
”) reporting thresholds, then the Closing shall be delayed
for a reasonable amount of time to allow for an appropriate filing
and clearance under the HSR Act.
At or prior to
the Closing:
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Seller will
deliver to Buyer:
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(i)
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a certificate
representing the Membership Interests, duly endorsed (or
accompanied by a duly executed stock power), for transfer to Buyer
free and clear of all Encumbrances;
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(ii)
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a release in
the form of Exhibit 1.4(a)(ii) executed by
Seller, TFS Holdings and each Shareholder (collectively, “
Seller’s Release ”);
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(iii)
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a consulting
services agreement (the “ Consulting
Agreement” ) executed by Michael Bynum which shall
have a term of two years and shall provide for an annual fee of
$100,000, payable monthly; and a transition services agreement
between the Seller and the Company pursuant to which the Company
will provide agreed upon accounting and other administrative
services for the Seller for a defined term (the “
Transition Services Agreement ”), the forms
of which are attached hereto as composite Exhibit
1.4(a)(iii) ;
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(iv)
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noncompetition
agreements in the form of Exhibit
1.4(a)(iv) , executed by Seller, TFS Holdings and each
Shareholder (collectively, the “ Noncompetition
Agreements ”);
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(v)
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a certificate
executed by Seller, TFS Holdings and the Shareholders representing
and warranting to Buyer that each of Seller’s, TFS
Holdings’ and the Shareholders’ representations and
warranties in this Agreement was accurate in all respects as of the
date of this Agreement and is accurate in all respects as of the
Closing Date as if made on the Closing Date (giving full effect to
any supplements to the Disclosure Letter that were delivered by
Seller to Buyer and accepted by Buyer prior to the Closing Date in
accordance with Section 5.4 );
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(vi)
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a lease and
option to purchase and sell the Indiantown Property in the form of
Exhibit 5.12 (the “
Indiantown Lease ”) executed by Seller and
the Company; and
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(vii)
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the Composting
Agreement in the form of
Exhibit 1.4(a)(vii) pursuant to which
the Company agrees to dispose of the chicken manure generated at
the Indiantown Property for the three-year period following the
Closing Date.
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(i)
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To the Escrow
Agent (as defined below) on November 28, 2008, by wire transfer
$60,672,000; and
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(ii)
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To the Seller,
a certificate executed by Buyer to the effect that, except as
otherwise stated in such certificate, each of Buyer’s
representations and warranties in this Agreement was accurate in
all respects as of the date of this Agreement and is accurate in
all respects as of the Closing Date as if made on the Closing
Date.
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Buyer and
Seller will enter into an escrow agreement in the form of
Exhibit 1.4(c) (the “
Escrow Agreement ”) with SunTrust Banks,
Inc. (the “ Escrow Agent ”) which
shall provide for the following:
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The Escrow
Agent shall, on the Closing Date, release $51,972,000 of the
escrowed funds to the Seller, less the Seller’s portion of
the prorated items described in Section 1.9 , by wire
transfer to the account specified in Part 1.4(b)(i) of the
Disclosure Letter. The Escrow Agent shall retain $1,000,000 to be
held in escrow for the benefit of the Buyer as set forth in Section
1.4(c)(iii) below and if the Buyer is entitled to receive any of
the amount prorated in accordance with Section 1.9 of this
Agreement, then such funds shall be released to the Buyer. The
Escrow Agent shall also retain $2,000,000 to be held in escrow
until Seller has conveyed good title to the Indiantown Property, by
general warranty deed, to the Company, free and clear of all
Encumbrances, and $5,700,000 to be held in escrow until those
certain bonds issued by the Martin County Industrial Development
Board have been fully paid and retired and the mortgage(s) on the
Indiantown Property and Seller’s Indiantown Property are
released and satisfied in full.
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The escrowed
funds shall be deposited in an interest bearing account and the
interest earned thereon shall enure to the benefit of the Buyer
until 12:00 midnight on the Inventory Date, and thereafter shall
enure to the benefit of the Seller.
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The Escrow
Agent will retain $1,000,000 in escrow as security for the purchase
price adjustment described in Sections 1.5 and
1.6 below, the proration of items
described in Section 1.9 , as well as Seller’s
indemnity obligations in this Agreement, to terminate on the date
18 months after the Closing Date in accordance with the terms of
the Escrow Agreement.
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The Escrow
Agent will retain $2,000,000 in escrow as security for the
Seller’s obligations under Section 5.12 to convey
good title to the Indiantown Property to the Company in accordance
with the terms of the Escrow Agreement.
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The Adjustment
Amount (which may be a positive or negative number) will be equal
to (a) the actual Inventory and Other Current Assets Amount as of
the Inventory Date determined in accordance with the valuation
methodology set forth in Section 1.8 below, minus (b)
the Target Inventory and Other Current Assets Amount.
(a) On the Closing Date, the Seller will prepare a
statement of the Company’s actual Inventory and Other Current
Assets Amount as of the Inventory Date (the “
Inventory and Other Current Assets Amount
Statement ”) in accordance with Section 1.8
hereto. Seller will deliver the Inventory and Other Current Assets
Amount Statement to Buyer on the Closing Date. The parties will
conduct a mutual physical count of the Company’s Inventory on
Saturday, November 29, 2008. If within 30 days following delivery
of the Inventory and Other Current Assets Amount Statement, Buyer
has not given Seller notice of its objection to the Inventory and
Other Current Assets Amount Statement (such notice must contain a
statement of the basis of Buyer’s objection), then the
Inventory and Other Current Assets Amount reflected in the
Inventory and Other Current Assets Amount Statement will be used in
computing the Adjustment Amount. If Buyer gives such notice of
objection, then the parties shall promptly meet (in any event
within five days of the notice of dispute) and attempt in good
faith to resolve such dispute. All reasonable requests for
information by one party to the other shall be honored. If the
matter has not been resolved within 72 hours of the beginning of
Buyer and Seller’s meeting, issues in dispute will be
submitted to the Tampa office of Ernst & Young, LLP Certified
Public Accountants (the “ Accountants
”), for resolution. Accountants shall resolve such dispute as
quickly as possible, but in any event within five business days of
its receipt thereof. If issues in dispute are submitted to the
Accountants for resolution, (i) each party will furnish to the
Accountants such workpapers and other documents and information
relating to the disputed issues as the Accountants may request and
are available to that party (or its independent public
accountants), and will be afforded the opportunity to present to
the Accountants any material relating to the determination and to
discuss the determination with the Accountants; (ii) the
determination by the Accountants, as set forth in a notice
delivered to both parties by the Accountants, will be binding and
conclusive on the parties; and (iii) Buyer and Seller will each
bear 50% of the fees of the Accountants for such
determination.
(b) On the tenth business day following the final
determination of the Adjustment Amount, if the Purchase Price is
greater than the aggregate of the payments made pursuant to
Sections 1.4(b)(i) and 1.4(b)(ii) , Buyer will pay
the difference to Seller, and if the Purchase Price is less than
such aggregate amount, the Escrow Agent, to the extent of the
Escrowed Funds, and Seller will pay the difference to Buyer.
Seller’s obligation to pay such difference shall in no way be
limited to the then current balance of such Escrowed Funds.
Payments must be made in immediately available funds. Payments to
Seller must be made by wire transfer to the bank account specified
in Part 1.4(b)(i) of the Disclosure Letter. Payments to Buyer must
be made by the Escrow Agent and/or Seller, as applicable, by wire
transfer to such bank account as Buyer will specify.
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ALLOCATION OF
PURCHASE PRICE
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The Purchase
Price shall be allocated among the assets of the Company as set
forth on Schedule 1.7 to this Agreement,
and the amounts allocated to the assets on such schedule are deemed
to be the fair market value thereof by the parties. The parties
acknowledge and agree that the allocations set forth on
Schedule 1.7 shall also control
Buyer’s tax basis in the Membership Interests. The parties
shall each adopt and utilize the values on Schedule
1.7 for purposes of filing IRS Form 8594 and all
federal, state, and other tax returns and elections filed by each
of them (unless otherwise required by Law), and each of them will
not voluntarily take any position inconsistent therewith upon
examination of any such tax return, in any audit, proceeding, or
otherwise with respect to such returns. The parties each agree to
provide promptly the other with any other information required to
complete IRS Form 8594 or such other federal, state and other tax
returns and elections that may apply.
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EVALUATION OF
INVENTORY AND OTHER CURRENT ASSETS
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All packaging
materials, egg inventories, grain, finished feed, feed ingredients
and additives, veterinary supplies/medicines, laying hen flocks,
pullet flocks, and other inventory set forth below shall be jointly
inventoried and valued by Seller and Buyer on the Inventory
Date . Such inventory shall be valued by the parties using
the valuation methods set forth below. Additionally, the
Company’s interest in American Egg Products, LLC (“
AEP ”) shall be valued as of the Inventory
Date, and the Company’s prepaid property insurance shall be
valued as of the Inventory Date, each in the manner set forth
below.
(a) Flock Inventories . The price for all of the Company’s
flocks of commercial layers and pullets shall be the value of such
flocks as shown on the Interim Balance Sheet amortized or accreted
to the Inventory Date, provided , however , that such
values are computed in a manner consistent in all respects with
past practices of Seller and the Company and the actual quantity of
birds as of the Inventory Date is reasonably acceptable to Buyer.
The quantity of birds may be established by a check of perpetual
house records, actual count, or spot check, as reasonably agreed to
by the parties;
(b) Egg Inventories . The price for the Company’s egg
inventories shall be the market price thereof as of the Inventory
Date. The quantity of eggs present on the Inventory Date shall be
established by joint inventory of Seller and Buyer, as reasonably
agreed. As used herein “ market price
” is agreed to be the actual selling price of Seller adjusted
to FOB Company plant, less one cent per dozen;
(c) Packaging Materials and Fuel
. The price for all usable packing
materials and fuel shall be the actual net cost to Seller which
shall reflect any rebates or credits consistent with historical
records and practices, verified to Buyer’s satisfaction. The
quantity shall be determined by physical count/measurement,
excluding obsolete inventories or material that cannot be used in
the normal course of business;
(d) Finished Feed and Feed Ingredients
. All finished feed and feed
ingredients shall be valued at cost of ingredients plus actual
milling and delivery costs, verified to Buyer’s satisfaction.
The quantity of finished feed and feed ingredients shall be
determined by Seller and Buyer by a physical count (or by using
reasonable methods of estimation where a physical count is
impractical) at mill and farm storage tanks and bins;
(e) Veterinary Supplies . The price for all current and usable
vaccines, medications, and feed supplements in inventory as of the
Inventory Date shall be Seller’s actual cost, net of all
rebates and credits, verified to Buyer’s
satisfaction;
(f) Membership Interests in AEP
. The price for all of the
Company’s membership interests in AEP shall be the respective
net book value of such interests on the books of AEP as of the
Inventory Date; and
(g) Prepaid Property Insurance
. Prior to the Closing Date, Seller
shall assign its property insurance policies and coverage and
related boiler and machinery riders to the Company. Such prepaid
property insurance will be prorated as of the Inventory Date. No
other insurance shall be assigned, valued or prorated between the
parties.
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PRORATION OF
CERTAIN ITEMS.
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(a) Taxes . Ad valorem, personal property taxes and any
other taxes or assessments relating to the Company and its business
for the year in which the Closing occurs shall be prorated to
midnight as of the Inventory Date and Buyer will assume payment of
all such unpaid taxes and assessments as of the Inventory Date. If
the result of the prorations results in the Seller owing the Buyer
money, then the Seller’s portion of such taxes and
assessments shall be withheld from the cash portion of the Purchase
Price payable under Section 1.2 . Conversely, if the result
of the prorations results in the Buyer owing the Seller money, then
the Purchase Price shall be increased and the Buyer shall pay such
additional amounts to the Seller in accordance with the procedures
set forth in Section 1.4 . If the Closing occurs before the
tax rate is fixed for the year in which the Closing occurs, the
proration of taxes shall be made using the tax rate and the
assessed valuation of the next preceding tax year; but when the tax
rate and the assessed valuations are fixed for the year of Closing,
the proration of taxes between Seller and Buyer shall be adjusted,
if necessary, so that such proration is based on the actual taxes
levied or assessed against the Company for the year of the Closing.
Such adjustment, if required, shall be made in cash between Buyer
and Seller within 30 days after the tax rate and the assessed
valuation have been fixed by the applicable taxing
authorities.
(b) Real Property Tax Rebate . The Company receives an annual rebate of a
portion of the real estate taxes that it pays on its real property
located in Hillsborough County Florida (the “ Tax
Rebate ”). The Tax Rebate for 2008 will be paid by
Hillsborough County to the Company after the Closing and will be
prorated between Buyer and Seller. Buyer shall, upon receipt of the
Rebate, promptly remit to Seller a pro rata portion of the Rebate
based upon the percentage of days that Seller owned the real
property in 2008.
(c) Rent and Utilities . The Company’s rent and utilities shall
be prorated to midnight on the Inventory Date and Seller’s
portion of such items shall be withheld from the cash portion of
the Purchase Price payable under Section 1.2 .
(d) Deposits; Rebates . The Seller shall be entitled to all deposits
under the lease agreements and contracts that it is transferring to
the Company and any rebates accrued as of the Inventory Date,
including, but not limited to the rebate from CSX for the period
ending on the Inventory Date.
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OPERATION OF
THE BUSINESS AFTER INVENTORY DATE
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(a) Profit and Loss . The parties agree that beginning at 12:00
midnight on the Inventory Date, Buyer shall assume possession of,
and shall operate the assets and Business of the Company. All
profit, losses and expenses after 12:00 midnight on the Inventory
Date generated by the Business shall be for the account of Buyer
and shall be Buyer’s responsibility.
(b) Risk of Loss; Insurance . The risk of loss as to the Company, except as
otherwise provided for herein, shall shift from Seller to Buyer at
12:00 midnight on the Inventory Date. Seller alone shall be
responsible for maintaining insurance coverage on the Company and
the operations of the Business until 12:00 midnight on the
Inventory Date. Buyer alone shall be responsible for maintaining
insurance coverage on such the Company and the operations of the
Business after 12:00 midnight on the Inventory Date.
(c) Conditions Precedent to Closing
. Between the Inventory Date and the
Closing Date, notwithstanding any other provision of this
Agreement, the Buyer shall be required to obtain the written
consent of the Seller prior to taking any material action affecting
the Business.
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RETENTION OF
PRE-CLOSING OBLIGATIONS.
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Neither the
Company nor the Buyer shall assume or be responsible for any
liability or obligation of Seller or the Company arising prior to
the Inventory Date, whether by operation of law or otherwise,
except as expressly set forth in Section 1.9 . Seller shall
retain and continue to be responsible for all its and the
Company’s known and unknown liabilities and obligations,
whether arising prior to, on or subsequent to the Inventory Date
and, subject to the procedures and limitations set forth in
Section 10 of this Agreement, shall indemnify, defend
and hold harmless the Buyer and the Company therefrom. Seller shall
pay any and all earned but unpaid salaries, bonuses, accrued
vacation, holidays, sick days, other paid time off, and/or other
benefits arising under any Plans, or otherwise through Seller or
the Company prior to midnight on the Inventory Date, directly to
the eligible employee.
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Section
2.
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REPRESENTATIONS
AND WARRANTIES OF SELLER
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Seller
represents and warrants to Buyer as follows:
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ORGANIZATION
AND GOOD STANDING
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(a) The Company is a limited liability company and
Seller and Okeechobee Egg are corporations, each duly organized,
validly existing, and in good standing under the laws of Florida,
with full power and authority to conduct the Business as it is now
being conducted, to own or use the properties and assets that it
purports to own or use, and to perform all its obligations under
this Agreement. The Company, Okeechobee Egg and Seller are each
duly qualified to do business as a foreign limited liability
company and foreign corporations, respectively, and are each in
good standing under the laws of each state or other jurisdiction in
which either the ownership or use of the properties owned or used
by it, or the nature of the activities conducted by it, requires
such qualification.
(b) Seller has delivered to Buyer copies of its,
the Company’s and Okeechobee Egg’s Organizational
Documents, as currently in effect.
This Agreement
constitutes the legal, valid, and binding obligation of Seller, TFS
Holdings and the Shareholders, enforceable against Seller, TFS
Holdings and the Shareholders in accordance with its terms. Upon
the execution and delivery by Seller (and, where applicable, TFS
Holdings and/or the Shareholders) of the Escrow Agreement,
Seller’s Release, the Transition Services Agreement and the
Noncompetition Agreements (collectively, the “
Seller’s Closing Documents”), the
Seller’s Closing Documents will constitute the legal, valid,
and binding obligations of Seller, TFS Holdings and the
Shareholders, enforceable against Seller, TFS Holdings and the
Shareholders, in accordance with their respective terms. Seller,
TFS Holdings and the Shareholders have the absolute and
unrestricted right, power, authority, and capacity to execute and
deliver this Agreement and the Seller’s Closing Documents and
to perform its, his or their obligations under this Agreement and
the Seller’s Closing Documents. Except as set forth in
Part 2.2 of the Disclosure Letter, neither the execution and
delivery of this Agreement nor the consummation or performance of
any of the Contemplated Transactions will require the consent of
any third parties, conflict with or constitute a violation of any
provisions of the Organizational Documents or any applicable law,
regulation or contract to which Seller, the Company or Okeechobee
Egg is subject or a party.
The authorized
equity securities of the Company consist of 10,000 units of
membership interests, of which 1,000 membership units are issued
and outstanding and constitute the Membership Interests. The
authorized equity securities of Okeechobee Egg consist of 10,000
shares of common stock, of which 1,000 are issued and outstanding
(the “ Okeechobee Egg Stock ”) and all
of which are owned by the Company. Seller is and will be on the
Closing Date the sole record and beneficial owner and holder of the
Membership Interests and the Okeechobee Egg Stock, free and clear
of all Encumbrances. All of the outstanding equity securities of
the Company and Okeechobee Egg have been duly authorized and
validly issued and are fully paid and nonassessable. There are no
Contracts relating to the issuance, sale, or transfer of any equity
securities or other securities of the Company or Okeechobee Egg.
None of the outstanding equity securities or other securities of
the Company or Okeechobee Egg was issued or acquired in violation
of the Securities Act or any other Legal Requirement. Except as set
forth in Part 2.3 of the Disclosure Letter, the Company does not
own, nor does it have any Contract to acquire, any equity
securities or other securities of any Person or any direct or
indirect equity or ownership interest in any other
business.
Seller has
delivered to Buyer: (a) an unaudited balance sheet of the
Business as at December 31, 2007 (including the notes thereto, the
“ Balance Sheet ”), and the related
unaudited statement of operations for the fiscal year then ended;
and (b) an unaudited balance sheet of the Business at
November 1, 2008 (the “ Interim Balance
Sheet ”) and the related unaudited statement of
operations for the ten months then ended. Such financial statements
and notes fairly present the financial condition and the results of
operations, changes in stockholders’ equity, and cash flow of
the Business as at the respective dates of and for the periods
referred to in such financial statements, all in accordance with
GAAP, subject, in the case of interim financial statements, to
normal recurring year-end adjustments (the effect of which will
not, individually or in the aggregate, be materially adverse) and
the absence of notes (that, if presented, would not differ
materially from those included in the Balance Sheet); the financial
statements referred to in this Section 2.4 reflect the
consistent application of such accounting principles throughout the
periods involved.
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TITLE TO
PROPERTIES; ENCUMBRANCES
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Part 2.5
of the Disclosure Letter contains a complete and accurate list of
all real property and material tangible personal property of the
Company (other than inventory acquired in the ordinary course of
business). Seller has delivered or made available to Buyer copies
of the deeds and other instruments (as recorded) by which the
Company acquired such real property and interests, and copies of
all title insurance policies, opinions, abstracts, and surveys in
the possession of Seller, the Company, Okeechobee Egg, TFS Holdings
or the Shareholders and relating to such property or interests. The
Company owns (with good and marketable title in the case of real
property, subject only to the matters permitted by the following
sentence) all the properties and assets (whether real, personal, or
mixed and whether tangible or intangible) that they purport to own,
including but not limited to all of the properties and assets
reflected in the Balance Sheet and the Interim Balance Sheet
(except for assets held under capitalized leases disclosed in
Part 2.5 of the Disclosure Letter and personal property sold
since the date of the Balance Sheet and the Interim Balance Sheet,
as the case may be, in the Ordinary Course of Business and
consistent with past practices), and all of the properties and
assets purchased or otherwise acquired by Seller or the Company
since the date of the Balance Sheet (except for personal property
acquired and sold since the date of the Balance Sheet in the
Ordinary Course of Business and consistent with past practices).
All properties and assets reflected in the Balance Sheet, the
Interim Balance Sheet and Part 2.5 of the Disclosure Letter
are free and clear of all Encumbrances and are not, in the case of
real property, subject to any rights of way, building use
restrictions, exceptions, variances, reservations, or limitations
of any nature except, with respect to all such properties and
assets, (a) liens for current taxes not yet due, and
(b) with respect to real property, those matters set forth in
the Commitment, and zoning laws and other land use restrictions
noted in the Commitment delivered to and accepted by Buyer in
accordance with Section 7.8 of this Agreement. All
buildings, plants, and structures owned by the Company lie wholly
within the boundaries of the real property owned by the Company and
do not encroach upon the property of any other Person.
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CONDITION AND
SUFFICIENCY OF ASSETS
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The buildings,
plants, structures, equipment and other property of the Company are
structurally sound, in good operating condition and repair, and are
adequate for the uses to which they are being put, and none of such
buildings, plants, structures, or equipment is in need of
maintenance or repairs except for ordinary, routine maintenance and
repairs that would be expected of buildings, plants, structures and
equipment of the age of the Company’s property, as
applicable. The building, plants, structures, equipment and other
property of the Company are sufficient for the continued conduct of
the Business after the Closing in substantially the same manner as
conducted prior to the Closing.
All accounts
receivable of the Company shall be assigned to Seller prior to the
Closing Date.
Except as
otherwise set forth in Part 2.8 of the Disclosure Letter: (a) all
inventory of the Company reflected in the Interim Balance Sheet,
consists of a quality and quantity usable and salable in the
Ordinary Course of Business; (b) all inventories (other than laying
hens and egg inventories) have been priced at cost on a first in,
first out basis; (c) all laying hen inventory have been priced at
cost, less depreciation, on a first in, first out basis; and (d)
all egg inventories have been priced at market on a first in, first
out basis. The quantities of each item of inventory (whether raw
materials, work-in-process, or finished goods) are not excessive,
but are reasonable in the present circumstances of the
Company.
(a) Seller and the Company have filed or caused to
be filed on a timely basis all Tax Returns that are or were
required to be filed by or with respect to either of them, either
separately or as a member of a group of business entities, pursuant
to applicable Legal Requirements. Part 2.9 of the Disclosure
Letter contains a complete and accurate list of, all such Tax
Returns filed since December 31, 2005. Seller and the Company
have paid, or made provision for the payment of, all Taxes shown on
such Tax Returns, except such Taxes, if any, as are listed in
Part 2.9 of the Disclosure Letter and are being contested in
good faith and as to which adequate reserves (determined in
accordance with GAAP) have been provided in the Balance Sheet and
the Interim Balance Sheet.
(b) Part 2.9 of the Disclosure Letter contains a
complete and accurate list of all audits of any federal or state
Tax Return filed by or on behalf of Seller or the Company for any
taxable year ending on or after December 31, 2004, including a
reasonably detailed description of the nature and outcome of each
audit. All deficiencies proposed as a result of such audits have
been paid, reserved against, settled, or, as described in
Part 2.9 of the Disclosure Letter, are being contested in good
faith by appropriate proceedings. Part 2.9 of the Disclosure
Letter describes all adjustments to the United States federal
income Tax Returns filed by Seller and any company or any group of
corporations including any company for all taxable years since
December 31, 2004, and the resulting deficiencies proposed by the
IRS. Except as described in Part 2.9 of the Disclosure Letter,
neither Seller nor the Company has given or been requested to give
waivers or extensions (or is or would be subject to a waiver or
extension given by any other Person) of any statute of limitations
relating to the payment of Taxes of Seller, the Company or for
which Seller or the Company may be liable, except waivers or
extensions that have expired prior to the date of this
Agreement.
(c) To the Knowledge of Seller, TFS Holdings and
the Shareholders the charges, accruals, and reserves with respect
to Taxes on the respective books of Seller and the Company are
adequate (determined in accordance with GAAP) and are at least
equal to Seller’s or the Company’s liability for Taxes.
There exists no proposed written tax assessment against Seller or
the Company except as disclosed in the Interim Balance Sheet or in
Part 2.9 of the Disclosure Letter. No consent to the
application of Section 341(f)(2) of the IRC has been filed
with respect to any property or assets held, acquired, or to be
acquired by Seller or the Company. All material Taxes that Seller
or the Company is or was required by Legal Requirements to withhold
or collect have been duly withheld or collected and, to the extent
required, have been paid to the proper Governmental Body or other
Person.
(d) All Tax Returns filed by (or that include on a
consolidated basis) Seller or the Company are true, correct, and
complete in all material respects. There is no tax sharing
agreement that will require any payment by Seller or the Company
after the date of this Agreement. Except as set forth on Part
2.9(d) of the Disclosure Letter, neither Seller nor the Company is,
or within the five-year period preceding the Closing Date has been,
an “S” corporation.
Part 2.10 of
the Disclosure Letter sets forth a list of all pension plans, as
defined in Section 3.2 of the Employment Retirement Income Security
Act of 1974, as amended (“ ERISA ”)
maintained by Seller or the Company or otherwise covering the
employees of the Business and all bonus, profit sharing, option, or
other types of employee benefit plans, arrangements with employees
for bonuses, incentive compensation, deferred compensation,
vacations, severance pay, retirement insurance, health insurance,
health plans or other employee benefits (the “
Plans ”) maintained by Seller or the Company
in which the employees of the Business are participating. Copies of
all Plans described in the preceding sentence have been delivered
to Buyer. Such Plans shall remain with or be transferred and
assigned to Seller prior to the Closing. Where applicable, the
Plans are qualified under § 401(a) of the Internal Revenue
Code of 1986 as amended (the “ Code ”)
and the related Trusts are exempt under § 501(a) of the Code.
None of the Plans have accumulated any funding deficiency (as
defined in ERISA and § 412 of the Code) whether or not waived,
and until the Closing Date all contributions to the Plans as
necessary to satisfy the minimum funding requirements under ERISA
have been and will be made prior to the date they are due. Except
as set forth in Part 2.10 of the Disclosure Letter: (a) there has
been no violation of the reporting and disclosure requirements
imposed under ERISA or the Code for which any penalty in a material
amount has been or may be imposed with respect to any Plan; (b) no
Plan has any liability of any nature other than for routine
payments to be made in due course to participants and
beneficiaries; (c) no event has occurred which would constitute a
prohibited transaction under Section 406 of ERISA; (d) there are no
lawsuits or claims which have been or will be, prior to Closing,
asserted or instituted against the assets of any trust under the
Plans or against of the Plans; (e) there are no investigations
pending by any governmental authority of the assets of any trust
under the Plans or against any of the Plans; and (f) none of the
Plans is a “ Multi-Employer Plan ” as
defined in Section 3(37) of ERISA, as amended by the Multi-Employer
Pension Plan Amendment Act of 1980.
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Except as set
forth in Part 2.11 of the Disclosure Letter:
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(i)
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Seller and
Company are, and at all times since November 30, 2005, have been,
in material compliance with each Legal Requirement that is or was
applicable to it or to the conduct or operation of the Business or
the ownership or use of any of its assets;
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(ii)
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to the
Knowledge of Seller, the Shareholders and the Company no event has
occurred or circumstance exists that (with or without notice or
lapse of time) (A) may constitute or result in a material violation
by Seller or the Company of, or a failure on the part of Seller or
the Company to comply with, any Legal Requirement, or (B) may give
rise to any obligation on the part of Seller or the Company to
undertake, or to bear all or any portion of the cost of, any
remedial action of any nature; and
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(iii)
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to the
Knowledge of Seller, the Shareholders and the Company, neither
Seller nor the Company has received, at any time since November 30,
2005, any notice or other communication (whether oral or written)
from any Governmental Body or any other Person regarding (A) any
actual, alleged, possible, or potential violation of, or failure to
comply with, any Legal Requirement, or (B) any actual, alleged,
possible, or potential obligation on the part of Seller or the
Company to undertake, or to bear all or any portion of the cost of,
any remedial action of any nature.
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(b) Part 2.11 of the Disclosure Letter contains a
complete and accurate list of all governmental licenses,
franchises, permits, privileges, immunities, approvals and other
governmental authorizations (the “ Governmental
Authorizations ”) that are held by the Company or
that otherwise relates to the business of, or to any of the assets
owned or used by, the Company. Each Governmental Authorization
listed or required to be listed in Part 2.11 of the Disclosure
Letter is in full force and effect. Except as set forth in Part
2.11 of the Disclosure Letter:
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(i)
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Seller and the
Company are, and at all times since November 30, 2005, have been,
in material compliance with all of the terms and requirements of
each Governmental Authorization identified or required to be
identified in Part 2.11 of the Disclosure Letter;
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(ii)
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To the
Knowledge of Seller, the Shareholders and the Company, no event has
occurred or circumstance exists that may (with or without notice or
lapse of time) (A) constitute or result directly or indirectly in a
material violation of or a failure to comply with any term or
requirement of any Governmental Authorization listed or required to
be listed in Part 2.11 of the Disclosure Letter, or (B) to the
Knowledge of Seller, the Shareholders or the Company, result
directly or indirectly in the revocation, withdrawal, suspension,
cancellation, or termination of, or any modification to, any
Governmental Authorization listed or required to be listed in Part
2.11 of the Disclosure Letter;
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(iii)
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Neither Seller
nor the Company has received, at any time since November 30, 2005,
any notice or other communication (whether oral or written) from
any Governmental Body or any other Person regarding (A) any actual,
alleged, possible, or potential violation of or failure to comply
with any term or requirement of any Governmental Authorization, or
(B) any actual, proposed, possible, or potential revocation,
withdrawal, suspension, cancellation, termination of, or
modification to any Governmental Authorization; and
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(iv)
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To the
Knowledge of Seller, the Shareholders and the Company, all
applications required to have been filed for the renewal of the
Governmental Authorizations listed or required to be listed in Part
2.11 of the Disclosure Letter have been duly filed on a timely
basis with the appropriate Governmental Bodies, and all other
filings required to have been made with respect to such
Governmental Authorizations have been duly made on a timely basis
with the appropriate Governmental Bodies.
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(v)
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The
Governmental Authorizations listed in Part 2.11 of the Disclosure
Letter collectively constitute all of the Governmental
Authorizations necessary to permit Seller and the Company to
lawfully conduct and operate their businesses in the manner they
currently conduct and operate such businesses and to permit Seller
and the Company to own and use their assets in the manner in which
they currently own and use such assets.
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Except as set
forth and described in Part 2.12 of the Disclosure Letter, there is
no instance in which Seller or the Company (or any predecessor) is
or, within the five years immediately preceding the Closing Date,
was (a) subject to any unsatisfied Order or (b) a party
or, to the Knowledge of Seller, the Shareholders or the Company,
threatened to be made a party, to any Proceeding. Except as set
forth and described in Part 2.12 of the Disclosure Letter, to the
Knowledge of Seller, the Shareholders and the Company, no event has
occurred or circumstances exist that could give rise to or serve as
a basis for the commencement of any Proceeding. Except as set forth
and described in Part 2.12 of the Disclosure Letter, there are no
Proceedings pending or, to the Knowledge of Seller, the
Shareholders and the Company, threatened that question the validity
of or materially affect this Agreement, any of the Contemplated
Transactions, Seller or the Company. Seller has delivered to Buyer
copies of all pleadings, correspondence, and other documents
relating to each Proceeding listed in Part 2.12 of the
Disclosure Letter.
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ABSENCE OF
CERTAIN CHANGES AND EVENTS
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Except as set
forth in Part 2.13 of the Disclosure Letter, since the date of the
Interim Balance Sheet, Seller, Okeechobee Egg and the Company have
conducted the Business only in the Ordinary Course of Business and
there has not been any:
(a) change in Seller’s, the Company’s
or Okeechobee Egg’s authorized or issued equity interests;
grant of any option or right to purchase equity interests of
Seller, the Company or Okeechobee Egg; issuance of any security
convertible into such equity interests; grant of any registration
rights; purchase, redemption, retirement or other acquisition by
Seller, the Company or Okeechobee Egg of any such equity interests
or declaration or payment of any dividend or other distribution or
payment in respect of any such equity interests;
(b) change in the assets, liabilities, financial
condition or operating results of the Business or the Company from
that reflected in the Interim Balance Sheet, except in the Ordinary
Course of Business;
(c) amendment to the Organizational Documents of
Seller, the Company or Okeechobee Egg;
(d) payment or increase by Seller, the Company or
Okeechobee Egg of any bonuses, salaries, or other compensation to
any member, manager, director, officer or (except in the Ordinary
Course of Business and consistent with past practices) employee or
entry into any employment, severance, or similar Contract with any
director, manager, officer, or employee;
(e) adoption of, or increase in the payments to or
benefits under, any profit sharing, bonus, deferred compensation,
savings, insurance, pension, retirement or other Plan for or with
any employees of the Company or Okeechobee Egg;
(f) damage to or destruction or loss of any asset
or property of the Company or Okeechobee Egg, whether or not
covered by insurance, materially and adversely affecting the
properties, assets, business, financial condition, or prospects of
the Company or Okeechobee Egg;
(g) entry into, termination of, or receipt of
notice of termination of (i) any license, distributorship, dealer,
sales representative, joint venture, credit, or similar agreement,
or (ii) any Contract or transaction involving a total remaining
commitment by or to the Company of at least $10,000;
(h) sale (other than sales of inventory in the
Ordinary Course of Business), lease, or other disposition of any
asset or property of the Company or Okeechobee Egg or mortgage,
pledge, or imposition of any lien or other encumbrance on any asset
or property of the Company or Okeechobee Egg, including but not
limited to the sale, lease, or other disposition of any of the
Intellectual Property Assets;
(i) cancellation or waiver of any claims or rights
with a value to the Company or Okeechobee Egg in excess of
$10,000;
(j) agreement, whether oral or written, by the
Company or Okeechobee Egg to do any of the foregoing;
(k) resignation or termination of employment of any
key employee of Seller, the Company or Okeechobee Egg; and Seller,
the Shareholders and the Company, to the best of their Knowledge,
do not know of the impending resignation or termination of
employment of any such employee; or
(l) receipt by Seller, the Company or Okeechobee
Egg of notice that there has been a loss of, or material order
cancellation by, any major customer of Seller or the
Company.
(a) Part 2.14 of the Disclosure Letter contains a
complete and accurate list, and Seller has delivered to Buyer true
and complete copies, of:
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(i)
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each Applicable
Contract that involves performance of services or delivery of goods
or materials to the Company or Okeechobee Egg of an amount or value
in excess of $10,000;
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(ii)
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each lease,
rental or occupancy agreement, license, installment and conditional
sale agreement, and other Applicable Contract affecting the
ownership of, leasing of, title to, use of, or any leasehold or
other interest in, any real or personal property (except personal
property leases and installment and conditional sales agreements
having a value per item or aggregate payments of less than $10,000
and with terms of less than one year);
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(iii)
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each licensing
agreement or other Applicable Contract with respect to patents,
trademarks, copyrights, or other intellectual property, including
agreements with current or former employees, consultants, or
contractors regarding the appropriation or the nondisclosure of any
of the Intellectual Property Assets;
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(iv)
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each joint
venture, partnership, and other Applicable Contract (however named)
involving a sharing of profits, losses, costs, or liabilities by
the Company or Okeechobee Egg with any other Person;
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(v)
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each Applicable
Contract containing covenants that in any way purport to restrict
the business activity of the Company or any Affiliate of the
Company or limit the freedom of the Company or any Affiliate of the
Company to engage in any line of business or to compete with any
Person;
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(vi)
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each Applicable
Contract providing for payments to or by any Person based on sales,
purchases, or profits, other than direct payments for
goods;
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(vii)
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each Applicable
Contract for capital expenditures in excess of $25,000;
and
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(viii)
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each written
warranty, guaranty, and or other similar undertaking with respect
to contractual performance extended by the Company.
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Part 2.14(a) of
the Disclosure Letter sets forth reasonably complete details
concerning such Contracts, including but not limited to, the name,
date and parties to the Contracts.
(b) Except as set forth in Part 2.14(b) of the
Disclosure Letter, other than any being assigned to the Company by
Seller immediately prior to the date of this Agreement, Seller (and
no Related Person of Seller) does not have any rights under, and
Seller does not have any obligation or liability under, any
Contract that relates to the business of, or any of the assets
owned or used by, the Company or Okeechobee Egg.
(c) Except as set forth in Part 2.14(c) of the
Disclosure Letter, each Contract identified or required to be
identified in Part 2.14(a) of the Disclosure Letter is in full
force and effect and is valid and enforceable in accordance with
its terms, except as enforcement may be limited by applicable
bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization, moratorium or similar laws
affecting creditors’ rights generally and general principles
of equity (regardless of whether considered in a proceeding in
equity or at law).
(d) Except as set forth in Part 2.14(d) of the
Disclosure Letter:
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(i)
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to the
Knowledge of Seller, the Shareholders and the Company, no event has
occurred or circumstance exists that (with or without notice or
lapse of time) may contravene, conflict with, or result in a
material violation or material breach of, or give the Company or
other Person the right to declare a default or exercise any remedy
under, or to accelerate the maturity or performance of, or to
cancel, terminate, or modify, any Applicable Contract;
and
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(ii)
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to the
Knowledge of Seller, the Shareholders and the Company, neither
Seller nor the Company has given to or received from any other
Person, at any time since November 30, 2005, any notice or other
communication (whether oral or written) regarding any actual,
alleged, possible, or potential material violation or material
breach of, or default under, any Applicable Contract.
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(e) Except as set forth in Part 2.14(e) of the
Disclosure Letter, there are no renegotiations of, attempts to
renegotiate, or outstanding rights to renegotiate any material
amounts paid or payable to the Company under current or completed
Contracts with any Person and no such Person has made written
demand for such renegotiation.
(f) The Contracts relating to the sale, design,
marketing, production or provision of products or services by the
Company have been entered into in the Ordinary Course of Business
and have been entered into without the commission of any act alone
or in concert with any other Person, or any consideration having
been paid or promised, that is or would be in violation of any
Legal Requirement.
Except as set
forth in Part 2.15 of the Disclosure Letter:
(a) Seller, the Company and Okeechobee Egg are, and
at all times have been, in compliance with, and have not been and
are not in violation of or liable under, any Environmental Law.
Neither Seller, the Shareholders, the Company nor Okeechobee Egg
has any basis to expect, nor has any of them or any other Person
for whose conduct they are or may be held to be responsible
received, any actual or, to the Knowledge of Seller, the
Shareholders or the Company, Threatened order, notice, or other
communication from (i) any Governmental Body, or (ii) the current
or prior owner or operator of any Facilities, of any actual or
potential violation or failure to comply with any Environmental
Law, or of any actual or, to the Knowledge of Seller, the
Shareholders and the Company, Threatened obligation to undertake or
bear the cost of any Environmental, Health, and Safety Liabilities
with respect to any of the Facilities or any other properties or
assets (whether real, personal, or mixed) in which Seller or the
Company has had an interest, or with respect to any property or
Facility at or to which Hazardous Materials were generated,
manufactured, refined, transferred, imported, used, or processed by
Seller, the Company, or any other Person for whose conduct they are
or may be held responsible, or from which Hazardous Materials have
been transported, treated, stored, handled, transferred, disposed,
recycled, or received.
(b) There are no pending or, to the Knowledge of
Seller, the Shareholders and the Company, Threatened claims,
Encumbrances, or other restrictions of any nature, resulting from
any Environmental, Health, and Safety Liabilities or arising under
or pursuant to any Environmental Law, with respect to or affecting
any of the Facilities or any other properties and assets (whether
real, personal, or mixed) in which Seller or the Company has an
interest and which is attributable to Seller, the Company or any
person for whose conduct they are responsible.
(c) To the Knowledge of Seller, the Shareholders or
the Company, neither Seller, the Shareholders nor the Company has
any reasonable basis to expect, nor has any of them or any other
Person for whose conduct they are or may be held responsible,
received, any citation, directive, inquiry, notice, Order, summons,
warning, or other communication from (x) any Governmental Body,
including those administering or enforcing any Environmental Law,
or (y) the owner of any real property or other facility that
relates to Hazardous Activity, Hazardous Materials, or any alleged,
actual, or potential violation or failure to comply with any
Environmental Law, or of any alleged, actual, or potential
obligation to undertake or bear the cost of any Environmental,
Health, and Safety Liabilities with respect to any of the
Facilities or any other properties or assets (whether real,
personal, or mixed) in which Seller or the Company had an interest,
or with respect to any property or facility to which Hazardous
Materials generated, manufactured, refined, transferred, imported,
used, or processed by Seller, the Company or any other Person for
whose conduct they are responsible, have been transported, treated,
stored, handled, transferred, disposed, recycled, or
received.
(d) Neither Seller nor the Company, or any other
Person for whose conduct they are or may be held responsible, has
any Environmental, Health, and Safety Liabilities with respect to
the Facilities or, to the Knowledge of Seller, the Shareholders and
the Company, with respect to any other properties and assets
(whether real, personal, or mixed) in which Seller or the Company
(or any predecessor), has or had an interest.
(e) There are no Hazardous Materials present on or
in the Environment at the Facilities, including but not limited to
any Hazardous Materials contained in barrels, above or underground
storage tanks, landfills, land deposits, dumps, equipment (whether
moveable or fixed) or other containers, either temporary or
permanent, and deposited or located in land, water, sumps, or any
other part of the Facilities or such adjoining property, or
incorporated into any structure therein or thereon, except for:
(i) Hazardous Materials contained in consumer products
normally utilized for cleaning and maintenance purposes; or (ii)
other Hazardous Materials which are contained in the raw materials
or equipment utilized by Seller or the Company in the Ordinary
Course of Business. Neither Seller, the Company nor any other
Person for whose conduct they are or may be held responsible, or,
to the Knowledge of Seller, the Shareholders and the Company, any
other Person, has permitted or conducted, or is aware of, any
Hazardous Activity conducted with respect to the Facilities or any
other properties or assets (whether real, personal, or mixed) in
which Seller or the Company has or had an interest except in full
compliance with all applicable Environmental Laws.
(f) There has been no Release or, to the Knowledge
of Seller, the Shareholders and the Company, Threat of Release, of
any Hazardous Materials at or from the Facilities or at any other
locations where any Hazardous Materials were generated,
manufactured, refined, transferred, produced, imported, used, or
processed from or by the Facilities, or from or by any other
properties and assets (whether real, personal, or mixed) in which
Seller, the Company or Okeechobee Egg has or had an interest,
whether by Seller, the Company or any other Person.
(g) Seller has delivered to Buyer true and complete
copies and results of any reports, studies, analyses, tests, or
monitoring possessed or initiated by Seller or the Company
pertaining to Hazardous Materials or Hazardous Activities in, on,
or under the Facilities, or concerning compliance by Seller, the
Company or any other Person for whose conduct they are or may be
held responsible, with Environmental Laws.
(h) At least seven days prior to Closing, the
Company shall deliver to Buyer a phase 1 environmental survey from
a company acceptable to Buyer showing the Company’s real
property to be in such environmental condition as to be acceptable
to Buyer. Such survey shall be addressed to Buyer and such other
parties as Buyer may subsequently designate.
(a) Except as set forth in Part 2.16(a) of the
Disclosure Letter (i) neither Seller, the Company nor Okeechobee
Egg is a party to or bound by any union contract, collective
bargaining agreement, employment contract, independent contractor
agreement, consultation agreement, or other similar type of
Contract; (ii) neither Seller, the Company nor Okeechobee Egg
has agreed to recognize any union or other collective bargaining
unit; (iii) no union or collective bargaining unit has been
certified as representing the employees of Seller, the Company or
Okeechobee Egg; and (iv) no organizational attempt has been
made or, to the Knowledge of Seller, the Shareholders and the
Company, threatened by or on behalf of any labor union or
collective bargaining unit with respect to any employees of Seller,
the Company or Okeechobee Egg. Neither Seller, the Company nor
Okeechobee Egg has experienced any labor strike, dispute, slowdown,
stoppage, or other material labor difficulty during the three years
immediately preceding the Closing Date. To Seller’s, the
Shareholders’ and the Company’s Knowledge, Seller, the
Company and Okeechobee Egg are in compliance with all federal,
state or other applicable laws, domestic or foreign, relating to
employment, equal employment opportunity, nondiscrimination,
immigration, wages, hours, benefits, collective bargaining, the
payment of social security and similar taxes, occupational safety
and health, and plant closing. To Seller’s, the
Shareholders’ and the Company’s Knowledge, neither
Seller, the Company nor Okeechobee Egg is liable for the payment of
any compensation, damages, taxes, fines, penalties, or other
amounts, however designated, for failure to comply with any of the
foregoing Legal Requirements.
(b) Part 2.16(b) of the Disclosure Letter sets
forth a true, correct, and complete list of all employees of the
Company and Okeechobee Egg, the rate of all regular, bonus, and
special compensation payable to each such person in any and all
capacities, and any regular, bonus, or special compensation that
will be payable to each such person in any and all capacities as of
the Closing Date other than the then current accrual of regular
payroll compensation. Except as set forth in Part 2.16
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